Fabulously Friends Feature – Nicole Tremaglio

I met Nicole out in NYC as a part of the Empowering Women’s panel that her company, FitNic, organized and facilitated. Nicole is a breath of fresh air, loaded with energy, passion and on a mission to empower others. Please say hello to this week’s Fabulous Friend Feature – Nicole Tremaglio!

Q: Where are you from? Where do you call home?

A: I’m originally from Connecticut, although I’ve never felt more at home than in NYC.

Q: What do you do for “work”?

A: I work full-time in the fashion industry and am the founder of FitNic, a platform which connects like-minded members of the NYC fitness and wellness community.

Q: How long have you been doing this?

A: I’ve been in the fashion industry for 10 years, transitioning from retail management to corporate retail operations. I’ve danced my entire life, and launched my website almost a year ago as an informational hub for events rather than a blog.

Q: How did you get started?

A: I grew up dancing 30 hours a week – tap, jazz, ballet, and later contemporary and hip hop. I attended conventions, competed, and performed in a company. Dance was all I knew. Although I was discouraged from pursuing dance as a college major or career, a high school marketing course sparked my interest in fashion merchandising. While studying fashion in college, I worked as a fitness instructor, directed the group exercise program, and designed training programs for student-athletes. Over the years, through an eating disorder and recovery, I remained passionate about inspiring others through movement. After I moved to New York, FitNic was created as a way to give myself and others a voice and a platform to create. I love connecting with others and building community. My purpose is to let empowered, independent women in the fitness and wellness space redefine what work-life integration and body acceptance mean to them.

Q: What inspires and motivates you?

A: In short: Passion and innovation. I love doing what no one else has done before. Thinking outside of the box is what allows each day to be fun and challenging. I’m very intrinsically motivated and have an upholder personality type, so I’m always ready to make something exciting happen! Challenging the status quo by creating efficiencies and improvements for your business, whether you work for yourself or a large company, is what contributes to your value. I also love listening to people speak about what they love. There is nothing like seeing someone’s face light up the room when they are speaking of what they are truly connected to. It’s refreshing and yet humbling to be inspired by your own life and support system – I’m so grateful for the ability to do something I love every day.

Q: What tips do you have for anyone looking to get into the same thing?

A: There are so many people who give up on dance or modeling because they don’t have the “right” type of body. I truly believe now that there is space for everyone, and that any individual can have, be, or do whatever she sets her mind to. Don’t give up and don’t feel guilty for wanting what you want if your success isn’t on someone else’s agenda. If you are multi-passionate, you don’t have to give up a part of your life that you are inspired by. Find your own voice and don’t let negativity, whether internal or external, take you out of the driver’s seat. People will question what you do all the time, but ultimately you can design your own life however you please.

Q: What distracts you from your goals? How do you overcome those distractions?

A: Self- or externally-imposed limitations have distracted me from achieving goals. My word of intention for 2018 is “limitless”, because I’m no longer letting anything – especially my own thoughts or feelings – hold me back from living to my fullest potential. I love seeing a project or initiative come full-circle, but in the past have felt that my dreams were too big. As a child, I was entirely creatively-minded with my head in the clouds. I don’t think I’ve ever really been a pragmatic person, but thought it was a quality that I “should” possess as an independent woman. As I’ve honed my analytical skills in adulthood, I’ve gotten distracted by too-intensely analyzing details and not looking at the big picture. Instead of anticipating, calculating, and expecting predictable, controlled results, I’ve started to refocus my energy and just enjoy the process.

Q: Do you have any daily routines or rituals that help you to be at your best?

A: I get about 8 hours of sleep, drink a ton of water, and move my body every single day. All good habits really stem from there.

Q: What are your non-negotiables in life? How has keeping these things a priority helped you to be successful?

A: Boundaries! They are truly essential for me. I’m huge on work-life integration – that means whether I’m at work or home, I’m still the same innovative, passionate human being. There is no on or off switch – filling up my calendar with activities or resting at home both require the same amount of intention. I used to be a workaholic until I started reading books about social psychology. Then I started working smarter, not harder. I don’t bring my work home because I’m productive in the office. I thoughtfully manage my time so that I can successfully balance professional, personal, and social aspects of my life. My stress levels have plummeted and I’m more present in the moment as a result.

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

A: If you don’t find enjoyment in every day, you’re doing something wrong…I love to dance, listen to music, sing, write, travel, craft, read, explore NYC, and so much more.

Q: Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them

A: I don’t have room in my apartment for a puppy, otherwise I would.

Q: How can our followers find you (website, social media, etc)?

A: Check out my website and subscribe to the FitNic newsletter [www.fitnicnyc.com] for more info about me and upcoming events. Follow @fitnicnyc on Instagram and Facebook, and reach out at fitnicnyc@gmail.com to collaborate in NYC!

Nicole offers great insight on her blog and we are happy to feature this article on “Feeling Yourself”. For the original article or to see more of her blog, click here

Photo credit Tom Lew Photography

Feeling Myself – Nicole Tremaglio

March 19th, 2018

Beyoncé makes a lot of things seem easy, one of them being the ability to carry oneself confidently with an air of sophistication and a serving of fierceness. This seemingly effortless attitude is also known as FEELING YOURSELF. Sounds fun! And it is. Except when it isn’t. It’s particularly disappointing to have how you thought you looked on the outside diminish the joy you were feeling on the inside. If you look in the mirror or have thoughts that don’t serve you, get right again with these small acts of empowerment.

1. Take Back Your Power

What is making you feel unworthy of love, attention, happiness, etc? Is it the way you think you look? Put the situation into perspective. Does prioritizing how you look over how you feel outweigh the satisfaction of going to that workout class in the first place? Or going out to brunch? Or doing anything that contributes to your happiness and/or well-being? No, or at least it shouldn’t. Let’s be real – regardless of your looks or anything on the surface, you can, should, and are allowed to experience life without guilt, shame, or disappointment. Change your self talk so your fear no longer puts out your fire.

2. Channel Your Fire

What makes you feel your best? Singing and dancing around your apartment like no one’s watching? Going full glam and dressing to the nines? Jumping into bed after a long day at work to watch Netflix in your pajamas? Channel that feeling of excitement when you feel the most like YOU. Just you – not dependent on the presence or approval of any other person. Let your undeniable awesomeness take the lead and your mood will be boosted in no time.

3. Release the Pressure

Don’t look as fit as you did last year? Comparing yourself to someone who you presume has more than you because they look “better” than you? WHO CARES. You are the only you. You do you the best – better than anyone else. Stop pressuring yourself to meet some kind of ambiguous, subjective standard of perfection or achieve an unnecessary aesthetic. Remember that joy doesn’t cost a thing, and your mind is what may be holding you back from vibrating at your highest frequency – NOT your body.